When crime happens, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Division steps in to uncover the truth hidden in the evidence. In this episode of Washoe Life, we sit down with Division Director Steven Johnson and Supervising Criminalist Dr. Lisa Smyth-Roam for a behind-the-scenes look at the county’s crime lab. From separating TV drama from reality, to the evolving role of DNA and forensic technology in solving cold cases, learn how science and teamwork bring justice to our community. Johnson and Smyth-Roam also share surprising stories from the lab, clear up common misconceptions, and highlight the vital role of forensic experts in Washoe County and beyond. 

Explore the awe-inspiring Fly Ranch: 3,800 acres of hot springs, wetlands, and desert beauty just north of the Black Rock Desert. Hear from Burning Man Project’s Marnee Benson and Fly Ranch General Manager Zac Cirivello as they share the story behind this unique landscape, the values guiding its care, and how community, art, and ecology are shaping its future. 

Hot August Nights isn’t just an event, it’s a 10-day celebration of nostalgia, community, and classic car culture that draws more than 500,000 people to Northern Nevada each year. In this episode, Executive Director Deny Dotson shares how his decade in Virginia City tourism prepared him to steer one of the nation’s most iconic car shows. From the behind-the-scenes logistics and $100 million economic impact to preserving automotive history while appealing to new generations, Deny gives us a front-row seat to what makes Hot August Nights an unforgettable experience. 

In this episode, we take a nostalgic trip under the Big Top with Phil Campbell, a gifted musician whose early career took him on the road with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. For a decade, Phil played trumpet and piano for “The Greatest Show on Earth,” performing live alongside acrobats, clowns, and exotic animals in arenas across the country. 

Known for his ability to recreate music after hearing it once, Phil shares what it was like to live, travel, and perform with one of America’s most iconic entertainment institutions — and reflects on how the circus shaped his life, his music, and his memories. 

So step right up and enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at circus life, through the eyes, and ears of someone who lived it. 

The 152nd Airlift Wing – the High Rollers – is a special division within the Nevada Air National Guard that can fight fires as well as it fights enemies. Lt. Col. David McNally has been flying his whole adult life, but there’s nothing quite like the feeling of defending his country from the cockpit of a C-130. We sit down with McNally and Capt. Emerson Marcus to learn about the rich history of the Air Guard right here in Reno.  

Scott Oxarart has become an advocate and ambassador for a disease he didn’t even know existed just a few years ago. Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) affected his dad quickly – just as it did to the most famous face of this disease, Bruce Willis – and gave Scott and his family a crash-course in understanding this aggressive type of dementia.  Scott shares the signs to watch for and how to help a loved one who might be battling this disease.  

For the first time in many years, Washoe County has opened a new recreation site, and Trails Coordinator Christina Thayer explains how and why a new recreation site comes to be. Join us on the banks of the Truckee River for a first look at the new Riverbend Trailhead, a brand-new access point to the river and portage area for rafters. 

The Washoe County Senior Center has been a cornerstone of our community since 1978—and now, it’s getting a much-needed refresh. In the latest Washoe Life podcast, we take you inside the $2.8 million renovation that’s transforming this vital space. Hear from Washoe County Human Services leaders about what’s changing, why it matters, and how it supports the seniors who rely on it every day. 

Listen now to learn how Washoe County is building a stronger, more connected community—one upgrade at a time. 

We go behind the scenes of the CrossRoads program with Frankie Lemus and Jimmie Drury to talk about what makes this place work—from case management to community support. Hear how structure, connection, and care are helping residents rebuild their lives.

In part one of this two-part Washoe Life podcast, we’re on site at the Men’s Crossroads facility, where up to 70 residents live in a structured, sober community while receiving case management, life skills training, and health care support. During this powerful sit-down with residents – some of whom are now staff members—find out what led them to Crossroads, how the program has shaped their recovery, and why it continues to change lives through structure, accountability and connection.